A Channel 4 science fiction series that has featured the likes of Timothy Spall, Steve Buscemi and Bryan Cranston enlisted a Retford firm to help craft their futuristic vision.

Phillip K Dick's Electric Dreams, which was launched in Channel 4's prime-time Sunday night slot last month, is based on the works of one of the most revered science fiction authors of all time, whose work has been adapted into films including Blade Runner and Total Recall.

The 10-part anthology features 10 standalone episodes adapted from the author's stories - each with a different director and cast.

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Retford-based Direct Water Tanks were approached a few months ago to help shape the production's dystopian design for the fourth episode in the series, Crazy Diamond.

Steve Buscemi at work in the programme

The episode, starring Steve Buscemi, centres on a not too-distant future where developments in genetic engineering have given rise to a new type of conscious synthetic being.

Buscemi's character, who works at the high-tech facility that creates synthetic beings, is in the midst of a mid-life crisis when he meets a mysterious stranger who sparks a chain of events that change the course of his life indelibly.

Molly Hookings, a spokeswoman for Hallcroft-based Direct Water Tanks, said: "Many moons ago, we were approached by a production designer working on a major new sci-fi series for Channel 4 with an unusual wishlist - thirty 3,400 litre open top water tanks. That’s 102,000 litres.